DUBLIN: Europe’s Airbus firmed up plans to raise production of its best-selling A320-family narrowbody jets by 50% from current levels to a record 75 a month in 2025 as it posted higher-than-expected quarterly earnings on Wednesday.

The world’s largest planemaker is already restoring outputfor in-demand single-aisle models as pandemic travelrestrictions fade away - with an interim target of 65A320-family jets a month in summer 2023, up from 50 a month now.

On Wednesday, it said it would go further and keepincreasing monthly output beyond that date to reach 75 a month by mid-decade, cementing proposals tentatively aired last year.

Engine makers, who had led a rearguard action by suppliersworried about having to invest only to face overcapacity ifAirbus’s forecasts prove optimistic, partially opened the doorto a hike last week by saying they had agreed quotas for 2024.

But some experts fear widespread shortages in global supplychains will disrupt higher output in the short term, whileaircraft financiers gathering for annual conferences in Dublinare worried that high production could depress existing assets.

Airbus expects India orders to make up 6% of its total over next 20 years

Airbus Chief Executive Guillaume Faury said in a statementthe global aerospace industry would benefit from the production increase, which leaves the European manufacturer on course for output well ahead of plans announced by rival Boeing.

Airbus said its benchmark adjusted operating profit rose 82%to 1.26 billion euros in the first quarter on the back of higherdeliveries and a one-off change in pension measurements, offset by the impact of sanctions against Russia over war in Ukraine.

Revenues rose 15% to 12 billion euros as Airbus left itsfinancial targets for the year unchanged.

It meanwhile confirmed a delay in its new A321XLR to early2024 as it pursues talks with regulators.